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XP Objectives Identify the hardware and software that are used for data communications and to establish a network connection Explain how Internet access, email, and the World Wide Web affect the use of computers Describe potential security threats to computers and protection methods Discuss the types of system software and their functions Identify popular application software Learn about cloud computing 3Essential Computer Concepts

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XP What Is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that accepts data and instructions from a user, manipulates the data according to the instructions, displays the resulting information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later 5Essential Computer Concepts

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XP Computer Systems Includes computer hardware and software – Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer – Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs, or lists of instructions, the computer needs to perform a specific task The design and construction of the hardware of a particular computer is referred to as its architecture or configuration The technical details about each component are called specifications 8Essential Computer Concepts

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XP Processing Hardware The motherboard is the main electronic component of the computer – Circuit board The microprocessor is one of the most important pieces of processing hardware on the motherboard Cards are removable circuit boards 11 Essential Computer Concepts

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XP Storage Media A computer file is a named collection of stored data An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task A data file is created by a user 14Essential Computer Concepts

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XP Input and Output The data or instructions you type into the computer are called input The result of the computer processing your input is referred to as output Peripheral devices accomplish input and output functions 18Essential Computer Concepts

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XP Computing in the Cloud Cloud computing means that data, applications, and even resources are stored on servers accessed over the Internet rather than on users computers, and you access only what you need when you need it – Windows Live SkyDrive Essential Computer Concepts32